The next day, since Tod was gone in the wilderness, where he'd be safe, Basil suggested that after supper, they'd go look for Tod to see how he was doing. By the time they arrived in the Game Preserve, Tod was with a lady fox.
"Hey, guys, meet my friend, Vixey," Tod said. "She's lots of fun."
"Hi, Vixey!" Olivia said, waving.
"Hello, child," Vixey replied. "What's your name?"
"Olivia Flaversham and this is my friend, Fidget," Olivia replied, gesturing towards her bat friend.
"Hi, Vixey," Fidget said, "You're pretty."
"Oh, thank you," Vixey giggled.
That night, they found a burrow to live in and Tod and Vixey told them everything that happened that day. Tod was scared and alone with no one to talk to as he tried to find shelter from the rain. First, he found a den he thought was empty, but as a result, a grumpy old badger lived there, protecting his territory. Luckily, a porcupine encountered Tod and suggested that he could stay with him. The next morning, Tod woke up, feeling quills behind his back and fell out of the hollow tree, ending up on top of the badger's home. The badger was not happy, seeing his home wrecked, so he told him to get lost. Tod was on his way, alright, alone until Big Mama came over by him to comfort him about the night before and showed him another fox, who was soon to be his mate. He seemed to feel better after seeing her and conversing with her that he thought he'd impress her by fishing, which backfired on him because he didn't know how to fish. He lied to her and insulted her, which got her really frustrated that she called him out on it and told him to grow up. Big Mama took her side, but Tod wasn't having it. Big Mama changed her tone and told him to act natural. Tod smiled at Vixey a few times, but when that failed, he picked out a flower for her. She wasn't mad at him anymore, but she sneezed and when he took a sniff, he, too, sneezed. The two were in love at last and when they were finally alone with the birds away, she showed him the way to the forest.
Everyone enjoyed the story and spent the night in Tod's and Vixey's burrow.
…
The next morning, Tod, Vixey, Toby, Basil, Dawson, Fidget, Olivia, and her father awoke and came out of the burrow. Basil and co brought out a small picnic basket and ate breakfast. Tod enjoyed the beautiful morning with Vixey and the two shared a kiss before frolicking in the forest with Toby and the others eventually catching up.
…
Noon came and Basil and co stopped to eat their lunch when they stopped at the drinking area, where it was unsafe. This could be a trap, everyone feared, except Tod. Toby growled.
"What is it, Toby?" Basil asked, puzzled by Toby's behavior.
"He says it's a dangerous place," Vixey told him. "It's quiet."
"Vixey," Tod said, being cocky.
"Just because it's quiet doesn't mean it's safe," Basil said.
"Tod, watch your step," Vixey warned.
This time, Tod said nothing. He walked on and on as the others watched helplessly. The fox heard a familiar rifle cock and took a couple steps back when he almost set his foot in one of the traps. He fled away as fast as possible from yet another gunshot.
Copper darted after Tod like he'd done the night before. Vixey led Basil and co where there weren't any traps.
"The fox is getting away!" Amos snapped as he chased Tod.
Vixey and Toby caught up to Tod and led them away from Copper, who was hot in pursuit.
"Dash it all, it's a game preserve!" Dawson said.
"But this man doesn't seem to care!" Basil told him.
"Vixey, head for the burrow!" Tod ordered, "We'll handle this!"
Vixey did as she was told and Toby waited for his signal to lunge at Copper when he arrived. At Copper's arrival, Tod and Toby growled at Copper.
"Traitor!" Fidget yelled at Copper. "I worked for a bad person and I will never do it again!"
Just as Copper was about to attack Tod, Tod bit him on the neck and led his friends over to the burrow with Copper following them.
Once in the burrow, Copper was digging in there, trying to get the foxes and their friends. Tod led his love interest and friends up the burrow, to see Amos, close to shooting them, but missed as they rushed back down to see Copper, still digging. Having enough, Tod bit him on the forepaw.
Amos Slade stacked a pile of dead straw on the hole of the burrow, which was the exit and set it aflame, using his hat to fan it out, causing the flames to reach the foxes and their friends. Amos cackled, seeing them suffer and got up to head to the entrance, telling Copper to keep an eye on the victims as he pointed his gun at them.
Everyone was coughing from the smoke and they (minus Tod) were frightened, but Tod told them to head for the exit.
"Chaps, duck!" Basil commanded.
"What?" the Flavershams, Dawson and Fidget asked.
"Just do it!" Basil yelled and he and his partner, Dawson, Fidget, and the Flavershams ducked as Toby, Tod, and Vixey rose from the flames.
Amos watched in disbelief as he saw orange red, brown, and a hint of grey figures rise from the flames.
Copper, not hesitating, sprinted after them as they scrambled up the pile of rocks, where the waterfall was and jumping through the mist, they were safe.
